Habib Secures Durban July Ride on Aladdin’s Lamp

Lucky Fish ambassadors Mike and Mathew de Kock have booked leading jockey Calvin Habib to ride five-year-old gelding Aladdin’s Lamp (Master Of My Fate) in the R10-million Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July on Saturday, 4 July.

The Murugasa family’s Aladdin’s Lamp was supplemented for South Africa’s flagship race following his victory in Sunday’s Grade 3 TAB Jubilee Stakes over 1800m at Turffontein.  He also won last November’s Betway Summer Cup Consolation over 2000m in faster time than headline feature winner Mocha Blend, and has improved since being fitted with blinkers.

Mathew de Kock said on Tuesday: “Our stable jockey Callan Murray had committed to riding one of Justin Snaith’s runners before we supplemented Aladdin’s Lamp, but we are happy to have secured Calvin as a replacement. That Calvin lives in Johannesburg is beneficial, because he will be able to ride Aladdin’s Lamp in his preparation gallops at Randjesfontein.”

SplashOut-sponsored Habib, who is fifth on the 2025/6 National Jockeys Log with 115 winners, said he was excited about the opportunity. “Aladdin’s Lamp was very impressive in the Jubilee. He has also proven himself over further so we know that the 2200m of the July won’t be an issue.

“He’ll be coming in with a light weight which will make him competitive. I’m looking forward to sitting on him in work in the upcoming weeks as we prepare for the big day.”